Best Windshield Wiper Blades Reviews in 2018

You’ve been there, chances are you’re there right now if you’re reading this: your wipers are old and tattered. They just aren’t moving anything off your windshield anymore, and you know it’s time to get a replacement. Our favorites for the vast majority of people are definitely the Bosch ICON series of wipers, but if you’re looking for something a little bit more specialized we’ve got you covered.

Rather than just opting for the cheapest around, however, you want to make sure you end up with the best you can find in order to avoid problems in the future.

Bestoverallpick!

Best overall: Bosch ICON

If you’re looking for the best wipers around, then you definitely want to stick with the BOSCH Icon. The only issue is the expense.

1. Best Overall

Bosch ICON

There’s a lot to love with these wipers. Simply put: these are our favorites overall, and for temperate climates they’re probably the best on the market.

They’re made of FX rubber which is designed to withstand environmental hazards like ultraviolet radiation and heat much better than most of the others on the market.

With a dual rubber lining, a solid bracket, and a thorough lack of gimmicks these really stand in their own class. They’re also a bit expensive, however, but studies show they last 40% longer than OEM wiper blades which is pretty impressive.

They also tend to be super quiet during operation, which makes it easier to tell when they’re going and keeps distractions down in inclement weather.

Pros and Cons

Dual lining

Beam-style blades

Solid construction

Special FX rubber

Expensive

Sometimes streak in super cold(under 0°F weather)

2. Longest Lasting Beam Wipers

Rain-X 5079282-1 Latitude Wiper Blade

Product Rating4.5 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

Rain-X produces these awesome beam wiper blades, and they really are some of the best around. They may not be ideal for ice, unfortunately, but there’s a hidden quality to them that most people won’t notice at first glance… They’re reversible. This means that despite the fact they won’t last quite as long as, say, the Bosch ICON, you can actually get longer life out of them by resetting them on the mount. This extra longevity is nice, especially since they’re not the most expensive beam wiper on the market by a long shot. Give them a shot if you find that your blades don’t seem to hold up for that long.

On top of that, they’re great for most weather although they don’t seem to hold up too well in the extreme cold.

Overall, if you’re in a “normal” environment then investing in these beam wipers can save you a lot of money over time if you opt to reverse them and extend their life.

Pros and Cons

Completely reversible

Long lasting blades

Rubber substructure

Beam style for windshield curves

Doesn’t hold up well in ice

No cover for j-hooks

3. Best for Cold Weather

AERO Premium All-Season Windshield

Product Rating4.5 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

The AERO Premium All-Season series is great for those who have to deal with ice and snow. These wipers cost a premium, like pretty much any beam wipers, but they rock in colder winters. Other than that, they’re still awesome wiper blades, with virtually no complaints from anyone who’s used them. They’re better than OEM equipment by a long shot and on top of that they’re long lasting and quiet.

For the best cold weather performance, however, there’s simply no competitors.

If you live in an area where cold weather is a serious concern, then you’ll be well served with these beam-style wiper blades.

Pros and Cons

Excellent at handling ice and snow

Long lasting

Super quiet

Almost chatter-free

No instructions for installation

Work best with stiff springs

4. Best Bracket Wiper Blades

Valeo 60022 600 Series Windshield Wiper Blade

Product Rating4 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

If you’ve got a flat windshield, or just want to save some cash, then bracket style blades are the way to go. And these are the best of the best when it comes to that style of blade. These are long-lasting, well-engineered blades which can handle most weather with aplumb and they’re super easy to install as well. While they may not be able to compete with beams, they’re also about half of the cost and that makes them an excellent budget item without any frills.

Don’t knock them though, bracket-style wipers can definitely have their uses and not just for those trying to keep things cheap. The corrosion resistant frame is a nice touch as well, keeping things nice and smooth for the life of the blade itself.

Give these a shot if you want to go with bracket-style wipers, they’re simply the best on the market if you’re going old school.

Pros and Cons

Excellent rubber

Long lasting blades

Great corrosion resistance on frame

Layered blades for superior design

Bracket blades

A bit heavy

5. Best Budget Wiper Blades

ANCO 31-Series

Product Rating3 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

The Anco 31-Series might not be quite on par with the rest of the blades on our list, but they excel in one crucial area: the cost of these wipers is completely minimal and most people will be able to afford them without any issue. They’re definitely not the worst blades on the market either. They hold up well for a good amount of time, while providing streak-free operation. They’re easy to install, super cheap, and you might have just found a new favorite if you want to save money.

While they’re definitely not the hottest item on the market, the value per dollar is pretty extraordinary. We crunched the numbers and quickly found that it’s not going to cost you that much more in the long run if you do opt for these and the short term savings are mighty attractive.

These are the absolute best budget priced wipers on the market. It might not sound like a big claim to fame, but if you do opt to go with them and have realistic expectations you’re sure to be happy.

Pros and Cons

Super cheap

Fairly high-quality

Easy to install

Available in pretty much all sizes

Not as high quality as the rest of our picks

Bracket style wipers

Picking the Best Wipers Possible

Finding wipers really isn’t all that complicated, once you know which type your car takes you’re good to go for the most part.

Of course, once you have the measurements you still need to take into account a few different things.

Beam vs. Bracket Wipers

Beam wipers are fairly new to the market and are comprised of a piece of spring steel backing the rubber. This allows them to conform to curved windshields with more even pressure, swiping snow and water out of the way easily as they go along their path.

On the other hand, bracket wipers are what most of us are used to seeing. They’re made with a frame that holds the rubber.

Unfortunately, inserts have fallen out of fashion these days and can be hard to find. In most cases you’re better off just replacing the whole assembly, but if you can find the specific blades you need then you may want to give them a shot.

If you’ve got a curved windshield and you’re likely to be experiencing inclement traditions, the investment in the more expensive beam blades is generally worth it.

There is one caveat, however: cheaper beam blades, primarily produced by companies trying to cash in on the new technology, are going to end up being worse than bracket-type blades in many instances.

It’s just an unfortunate side effect of new technology in the modern error. When something revolutionary is produced… there are going to be knock offs.

Cost

Unfortunately, cost isn’t always a great indicator of the quality of the wiper blades you’re looking at. Indeed, some people have tried to cash in on the “luxury” market without really changing anything.

You’re going to want to avoid those wherever possible, while they’re usually good blades you can get the same quality for about half the price.

That said, super cheap blades generally aren’t going to last nearly as long as those which fall into the moderate or expensive categories so avoid those as well.

We can confidently recommend all of the blades that we’ve placed in our list, but be careful if you strike out on your own.

Knowing When to Replace Your Wiper Blades

Knowing when to replace the wiper blades on your car can be a little bit iffy. Depending on how much they’re being used and the conditions they’re exposed to the rubber parts can last for a lot longer or a lot shorter than you’d normally thing.

Usually, the first indication that your wiper blades are about to go occurs when you begin hearing noise.

A properly installed wiper should be nearly silent except for the assembly. If you’ve got squeaking or scraping going on then it’s time to get around to replacing things.

Most wipers will still perform properly for nine months to a year.

Oddly enough, they may need to be replaced much more often in areas where they’re rarely in use. Desert climates, in particular, are super harsh on wiper blades.

Heat, UV radiation from the sun, and dryness are all the enemies of your blade. Indeed, they can do as much or more damage as constant use in more favorable conditions. If your car is generally stored out of the sun it’s less of a problem.

If you let your blades deteriorate too far you can end up with scratches on your windshield. This really isn’t ideal and it’ll definitely end up costing you more than a new set of blades.

If you’re thinking it’s time to start replacing blades, then you’re going to want to take a close look at them. Often you can solve the problem by cleaning the blades if you’re in a dusty area.

In other instances, you may have debris accumulated on the blade which is causing the noise.

The rubber, when felt, should still be pliable and “fresh” feeling. If it crumbles or cracks when touched then you’re going to need to replace them as soon as possible. They’ll start to stiffen at some point, and they may work for a while longer, but it’s time to order replacements once that process begins.

To extend the life of your wipers in the winter, you’ll want to use a scraper to remove the ice from the windshield of your car before you leave. While a good wiper blade can get rid of that sight-blocking ice, it’s definitely hard on the rubber over time and not really a good idea.

You should be cleaning your windshield regularly regardless of the conditions, of course, both to preserve visibility and because… well, it’s the right thing to do.

One of the biggest culprits of early windshield wiper death is the build-up of oils and road grime that naturally accumulate when you spend time running your vehicle. Clean regularly and you’ll have less trouble with your wipers over time by far.

Regular maintenance is the key here: take care of your wipers and you’ll spend a lot less money on them over time.

One more thing: always replace both wipers at the same time, even if you think they don’t both need it. It’ll help to maintain an evenness and you won’t have one fail unexpectedly because you forgot.

Basically, any kind of deviation from normal performance means that it’s time to get a replacement wiper blade. That includes chattering, streaking, and noise-making. You’ll also want to regularly inspect the rubbers to ensure they remain soft and pliable even if none of the other issues are present.

Conclusion

Finding the best windshield wipers doesn’t require a degree in experimental physics, but there are some serious brand differences out there that might amaze most people. Spend some time making sure you’ve got the best ones for your driving conditions and you’ll be in good hands.